Curcuma plant named ‘CPH Coral’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Curcuma plant having large and light pink/coral colored inflorescences.

Botanical classification: Curcuma hybrid.

Varietal denomination: ‘CPH Coral’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of Curcuma plant known by the varietal name ‘CPH Coral’ (previously referred to in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/762,738 as simply “Coral”). The new variety was discovered in 2017 in Chiangmai, Thailand as the result of a planned breeding program with the purposes of providing Curcuma plants with new coloration and characteristics. The new variety is the result of a cross between an unnamed and unpatented Curcuma supraneena variety (female parent) and an unnamed and unpatented Curcuma aurantiaca variety (male parent). The inflorescence of the new variety is similar in overall appearance to its female parent, but ‘CPH Coral’ exhibits larger inflorescences and leaves than its female parent. ‘CPH Coral’ exhibits similar inflorescence and leaf colors to its male parent, but differs from its male parent in having smaller inflorescences than its male parent. Tissue culture and bulb asexual reproductions of the new variety first occurred in 2017 in Chiangmai, Thailand. ‘CPH Coral’ has been trial and field tested and has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics and remain true to type through successive propagations. The present invention has not been evaluated under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary with variations in environment without a change in the genotype of the plant.

The inflorescence color and large size distinguish ‘CPH Coral’ from other Curcuma varieties known to the breeder. Further, when ‘CPH Coral’ is compared to Curcuma hybrid ‘CPH Orange’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 16/501,639), the varieties are similar in plant height. However, the varieties differ in inflorescence color (‘CPH Orange’ has orange colored inflorescences) and ‘CPH ‘Orange’ exhibits a red upper surface leaf midrib that is not exhibited by ‘CPH Coral’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawing taken at approximately 60 days of age illustrates the new variety, with the colors being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrations of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of the new variety at approximately 60 days of age. The data which defines these characteristics was collected under natural light in Chiangmai, Thailand. Plants of the new variety were grown in 20.3 cm pots in a plastic greenhouse in Chiangmai, Thailand and watered 1-2 times a day, if needed. Color references are primarily to The 2016 HTML Color Chart and The 2015 R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London, 6^(th) Edition, except where general color terms are used.

PLANT

-   Time to initiate roots: About 20-30 days at about 30-33° C. -   Time to produce a rooted young plant: About 45 days at about 30-33°     C. -   Root description: Fibrous, with a pale yellow colored (FAFCF5) milk     tank. -   Number of rhizomes produced per plant: From 2-3. -   Rhizome diameter: 2.0 cm. -   Growth habit: Annual. -   Plant height (soil level to top of inflorescences): 90.0 cm. -   Plant diameter: 30.0 cm. -   Pubescence: Lightly present on bracts. -   Disease resistance/susceptibility: None observed. -   Pest resistance/susceptibility: None observed. -   Temperature tolerance: 20-40° C. or tropical climate conditions. -   Drought tolerance: Unknown. -   Seed/fruit: None observed to date. -   Leaves:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Average number per plant.—From 5-7.         -   Length.—24.0 cm.         -   Width.—14.0 cm.         -   Shape of leaf (generally).—Broadly elliptic.         -   Shape of apex.—Acuminate.         -   Shape of base.—Obtuse.         -   Margin description.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Upper surface: Smooth. Lower surface: Slight             pubescence present.         -   Aspect.—Upright.         -   Color.—Young leaves: Upper surface: Light green (74AF1B).             Lower surface: Green (689907). Mature leaves: Upper surface:             Green (96B365). Lower surface: Green (96B365).         -   Veins.—Appearance: Pinnate and penninerved. Color: Upper             surface: Green (688542). Lower surface: Green (6D822E).         -   Leaf sheaths.—Length: 25.0-35.0 cm. Width: 2.5 cm. Texture:             Upper surface: Smooth. Lower surface: Smooth. Color: Upper             surface: RHS 187D. Lower surface: RHS 187D. Venation:             Pattern: Parallel. Color: RHS 135D.

INFLORESCENCE

-   Inflorescence arrangement: 1 inflorescence per shoot. -   Inflorescence number per plant: From 2-3. -   Inflorescence length: 15.0 cm. -   Inflorescence diameter: 8.0 cm. -   Fragrance: None. -   Flower bracts:     -   -   Total number per inflorescence.—Approximately 25.         -   Upper bracts.—Number: Approximately 10. Length: 3.0-5.0 cm.             Width: 2.5 cm. Shape: Lanceolate. Apex: Acute. Base:             U-shaped. Margin: Entire. Texture: Upper surface: Smooth.             Lower surface: Downy. Color: Upper surface: Pink/RHS 50C.             Lower surface: Deep pink/RHS 51C.         -   Lower bracts.—Number: Approximately 15. Length: 2.0-4.0 cm.             Width: 2.0 cm. Shape: Lanceolate-oblong. Apex: Acute. Base:             U-shaped. Margin: Entire. Texture: Upper surface: Smooth.             Lower surface: Downy. Color: Upper surface: Pink (B14B3F).             Lower surface: Pink (DB7166). -   Flowers:     -   -   Number per inflorescence.—Approximately 30.         -   Continuity of flowering.—1 month.         -   Lastingness of an individual flower.—1-2 days.         -   Length.—4.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—1.0 cm.         -   Appearance.—Orchidaceous form with a tubular base.         -   Upper petals.—Upper surface color: Yellow (FFFE57). Lower             surface color: Yellow (FFFE57).         -   Lower petals.—Upper surface color: Yellow (FFFA60). Lower             surface color: Yellow (FFFA60).         -   Flower buds.—Length: 4.0 cm. Diameter: 0.5 cm. Shape: Round             apex, with the base connected in a cone shape. Texture:             Smooth. Color: RHS 9A.         -   Sepals.—Number: 3. Calyx arrangement: In overlapping             circles. Length: 1.0 cm. Width: 0.5 cm. Overall shape:             Elliptic. Apex: Elliptic. Base: Connected in a cone shape.             Texture: Smooth (both surfaces). Color: RHS 10D (both             surfaces). -   Peduncles:     -   -   Length.—20.0-25.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—1.0 cm.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Angle.—Upright.         -   Color.—Green (827912).

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:     -   -   Number.—1. -   Filament:     -   -   Length.—4.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—1.0 mm.         -   Color.—White (D1D48E). -   Anthers:     -   -   Shape.—2-lobed.         -   Length.—4.0 mm.         -   Color.—White (D1D48E). -   Pollen: None observed. -   Pistils:     -   -   Number.—1.         -   Length.—4.0 cm. -   Style:     -   -   Length.—4.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—1.0 mm.         -   Color.—White (D1D48E). -   Stigma:     -   -   Length.—2.0 mm.         -   Diameter.—1.0 mm.         -   Color.—White (D1D48E). 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Curcuma plant, as is herein illustrated and described. 